What's happened since?A lot has happened since Countdown to Infinite Crisis. The Flash has been facing off against a revitalized Rogues Gallery, Superman has unmasked Ruin and discovered his true identity and much, much more. Infinite Crisis is running rampant through the DCU, but here are the truly important things you need to know.Batman has been effected the most, at least in terms of immediate impact. The Dark Knight is indeed aware that years ago when he walked in on the JLA mind-wiping Dr. Light, he was treated to the same horrible spell. Since that time, Batman has worked to ensure that event never recurs. Using his money and mind, Batman helped with the Brother 1 satellite that has spied on and gathered information about every major superhero in the DCU. Having lost control of Brother 1 to Maxwell Lord and the evil organization Checkmate, Batman confessed his machinations to the JLA.Blue Beetle's death has finally been revealed to the JLA when Batman shows the League Beetle's broken goggles. Those same goggles were sent to him by Sasha, Batman's confidant within Checkmate. OMAC, the perfect soldier, designed to exploit the weaknesses of the heroes of the DCU, is apparently in mass production. One recently battled Superman and three have been sent to take out Batman.The Society, headed by Lex Luthor, has gathered almost every single villain in the DCU either through persuasion or blackmail. Only six villains stand against the Society. These Renegade Six prove to be a thorn in the side of the Society and a quiet war has begun, one that is delaying the Society from its true objective.The Spectre, without a human host for the first time in decades, falls under the persuasion of Eclipso, who now inhabits Jean Loring's body. Yes, the same crazy Jean Loring who killed the Elongated Man's wife. Eclipso needs the Spectre to eliminate all of the magic in the DCU and the misguided Spectre is convinced it is the only way to rid the universe of evil. Already Eclipso has neutralized Dr. Fate and the Phantom Stranger. His biggest target, however, is Captain Marvel.What does it mean? Currently the truth about Identity Crisis is being kept a mystery by DC. However, a lot of theories are floating around out there. Because DC has said that the seeds of Infinite Crisis have been planted in the DCU over the past two years, it's fair to assume that we need to look at Crisis in a unique way. It's easy to focus on the specific IC spin-offs and the upcoming seven-issue miniseries, but the truth is that more than likely every DC book is going to be part of the Crisis. But it may be very subtle.Our best guess is that many current and upcoming events in the main DC books (Batman, Action Comics, etc.) will actually be revealed as part of some master Crisis plan. Considering the evidence, it's clear that many of DC's major players are being accounted for. We know that 100 pounds of kryptonite was stolen -- We can guess who that's for. We know that the new Spectre (who lacks a human host), goes on a crusade to wipe all magic from the DCU, putting him at odds with Captain Marvel. The three greatest minds in the DC Universe are all occupied thanks to recent events. Ralph Dibny is distraught and distracted thanks to his wife's death, Blue Beetle is distracted with his own death and Batman is caught up in the events of "Family Reunion," which will keep him from putting his full investigative talents behind researching the O.M.A.C. Project. The revelations regarding mind wiping has not only unified the villains, but has fractured the JLA, making them ineffective for the coming Crisis. What happened in the "Sacrifice" storyline?Updated August 11A major event recently occured in the pages of Superman's three books, culminating in Wonder Woman #219. The Man of Steel lost control, nearly killed Batman and was ready to tear up the world. With his mind being pushed by Maxwell Lord, Wonder Woman found herself at an impasse. Max confessed, in all honesty, that no matter what, he would regain control of Superman at some point in time -- today, tomorrow, a decade from now. The only option to free the Man of Steel? Kill Max Lord.With little hesitation and one unforgettable page, Wonder Woman killed Max, freeing Superman but pitting the JLA against one another. Batman quit and Superman is left questioning himself. Just as the heroes are breaking apart, Lex Luthor's villain team, The Society, have begun targeting the JLA's loved ones. Should I read Crisis on Infinite Earths again? DC is calling Infinite Crisis the sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths. The question is, how exactly are the two related? The original Crisis was a necessary event as the DC Universe was a complete continuity mess with multiple versions of every character and more Earths than you could shake a stick at. Crisis cleaned shop and most notably killed off Barry Allen and Supergirl.Though Earth-2 has resurfaced, DC has done an admirable job of controlling its continuity. There's no giant mess to clean up. If Zero Hour proved anything, it's that cleaning up a mess that doesn't exist is a waste of time.

So if the two series aren't related by continuity clean-up, what links them together? Discover that connection and you may get some insight into where Infinite Crisis is taking the DCU, though our guess is that the end result will be a brand new status quo. The DCU has become too comfortable, the heroes too familiar with one another. The Watchtower might as well be a Starbucks that anyone with a cape can waltz into for a cup of tea. When the dust settles, expect close relationships to be fractured, the JLA to be divided (and likely split into two separate teams!) and the villains to truly be united.But to answer the initial question, "Should I read Crisis on Infinite Earths again?" Yes, you should -- we are.Read more thoughts on Countdown to Infinite Crisis.